Launch Your Burnaby Employment Placement Agency: Start Strong Today
This page walks you through six essential steps to launch a Burnaby employment placement agency (NAICS 561311). You'll get a clear requirements overview, what permits you need (primarily a Burnaby municipal business license), typical startup costs, and a practical timeline from setup to first placements. The goal is to help you move from idea to compliant, revenue-ready operation without guesswork.
Here's what you'll learn: how to legally register your BC business, secure the Burnaby license for employment services, and handle tax registrations (GST/HST and corporate where applicable). You'll also set up payroll and WorkSafeBC coverage, build data privacy protections for candidates, and budget for essential costs like insurance, contracts, and tech.
Why Burnaby? The city sits in the heart of Metro Vancouver with a diverse job market and strong business support. This combo makes it easier to connect employers with job seekers, spin up a staffing practice quickly, and grow with local demand while keeping compliance simple.
Requirements Overview
For starting an employment placement agency in Burnaby, the most critical requirement is obtaining a Business Number (BN) Registration. This is the federal identifier you’ll use to work with Canada Revenue Agency for taxes, payroll, and program accounts. Without a BN, you cannot legally file taxes or set up important accounts, and you cannot operate the business. This is non-negotiable and must be in place before you hire anyone or bill clients.
Next come mandatory operational items that keep your workplace compliant: you must have WorkSafeBC coverage to protect employees in case of workplace injury, and you’ll need to handle personal information in a privacy-friendly way, following PIPEDA for your administrative services. These requirements aren’t optional; staying compliant helps protect workers and your business, and avoid penalties.
Under Business Registration & Tax, you’ll typically register a BC Business Name if you’re using a name other than your own, and you may need GST/HST registration with the CRA, depending on your revenue. You’ll also set up Payroll Deductions registration with the CRA so you can withhold taxes for employees. All of these connect back to your BN and your legal business structure.
Ready to move forward? Start with the BN application, then tackle the BC name registration if needed, and set up tax accounts in parallel. Gather the necessary documents, map out your business structure, and create a simple compliance checklist. If you want, I can outline a practical step-by-step plan with timelines to keep you on track and confident.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a employment placement agencies in Burnaby:
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
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PIPEDA Compliance (Administrative Services) ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Administrative services handling personal information (employment agencies, credit bureaus, investigation services, document preparation) must comply with federal privacy law including consent, security, and breach notification. PIPEDA compliance for administrative services. Privacy policy. Consent management. Data minimization. Breach notification. Contact OPC: 1-800-282-1376.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your employment placement agencies:
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Three-stream grant program for Nunavut-based artists, businesses, and organizations: (1) Getting Started/Arts Creation/Training — supports education, training, art supplies, equipment; (2) Arts and Culture Development — supports collaborative arts initiatives, exhibitions, shows, and touring; (3) Infrastructure Development — supports studios and cultural tourism infrastructure. Annual call for proposals.
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Provided contributions to settlement, employment, and community organizations delivering programs addressing employment barriers for racialized newcomer women, including work placements, mentorships, job counselling, and support for gender- and race-based discrimination. Program renewal ended in 2025; no new open call as of early 2026. Over 2,200 racialized newcomer women were served …
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